Magnetic nippers

Abstract

A magnetic nipper is provided. The magnetic nipper has a pair of elongate arms with opposed first and second surfaces. The pair of elongate arms are hingedly connected to allow the pair of elongate arms to rotate about an axle. The first and second surfaces each contain at least one magnet have a polarity such that the magnets repel.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A nipper assembly for cutting fishing line, the nipper assembly comprising:
 a nipper, 
 a base plate, where the nipper and the base plate are releasably, magnetically, coupled, wherein: 
 the nipper comprises:
 a first elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end, a pair of engagement lobes having aligned bores, the pair of engagement lobes located at the proximal end and spaced apart from each other, the first elongate member comprising a cutting edge located at a terminus of the distal end, a first elongate member space formed in the proximal end between the pair of engagement lobes, where each of the pair of engagement lobes has a movement surface, the first elongate member comprising a first surface having at least one cavity containing a first magnet; 
 a second elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end, a pair of first tangs having aligned bores where the aligned bores of the engagement lobes align with the aligned bores of the first tangs, the pair of first tangs located at the proximal end and spaced apart from each other, the second elongate member having a cutting edge located at a terminus of the distal end, each of the pair of first tangs are located inset from the pair of engagement lobes, a second elongate member space formed in the proximal end between the pair of first tangs, where each of the pair of first tangs has a sliding surface operatively shaped such that the movement surface slides along the sliding surface and terminates at a stop, the second elongate member comprising a second surface having at least one cavity aligned with the at least one cavity in the first surface containing a second magnet, wherein the second magnet has a polarity the same as the first magnet; and 
 a pin extending through the aligned bore such that the first elongate member and the second elongate member pivot about the pin, wherein the first elongate member space aligns with the second elongate member space to define a receiving space and the pin closes a distal end of the receiving space, wherein the second magnet magnetically couples the second elongate member to the base plate. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The nipper assembly of  claim 1  wherein the first magnet and the second magnet cause the first elongate member and the second elongate member to pivot away from each other until the first elongate member engages the stop. 
     
     
       3. The nipper assembly of  claim 1  wherein the nipper is from a corrosion resistant material. 
     
     
       4. The nipper assembly of  claim 3  wherein the corrosion resistant material is stainless steel. 
     
     
       5. The nipper assembly of  claim 1  wherein the first surface comprises a plurality of cavities and each of the plurality of cavities contains a first magnet and the second surface comprises a corresponding plurality of cavities and each of the corresponding plurality of cavities contains a second magnet. 
     
     
       6. A nipper assembly for cutting fishing line, the nipper assembly comprising:
 a nipper; and 
 a base plate, where the nipper and the base plate are releasably, magnetically, coupled, wherein the base plate comprises a clamp for clamping onto a hat, wherein: 
 the nipper comprises:
 a first elongate member comprising:
 a proximal end; 
 a distal end; 
 a cutting edge located at a terminus of the distal end; 
 a pair of engagement lobes at the proximal end and spaced apart from each other, the pair of engagement lobes having a bore and a movement surface; 
 a first elongate member space formed in the proximal end between the pair of engagement lobes; 
 a first surface having a first cavity; and 
 a first magnet positioned in the first cavity; and 
 
 a second elongate member comprising:
 a proximal end; 
 a distal end; 
 a cutting edge located at a terminus of the distal end; 
 a pair of tangs at the proximal end and spaced apart from each other, the pair of tangs having a bore and a sliding surface, the bore of the pair of tangs being aligned with the bore of the pair of engagement lobes, the sliding surface operatively shaped such that the movement surface slides along the sliding surface, wherein each of the pair of tangs are located inset from the pair of engagement lobes; 
 a second elongate member space formed in the proximal end between the pair of tangs; 
 a second surface, opposed to the first surface, having a second cavity aligned with the first cavity; and 
 a second magnet positioned in the second cavity, wherein the second magnet has a polarity the same as the first magnet; and 
 
 a pin extending through the bore of the pair of engagement lobes and the bore of the pair of tangs such that the first elongate member and the second elongate member pivot about the pin, wherein the first elongate member space aligns with the second elongate member space to define a receiving space and the pin closes a distal end of the receiving space. 
 
 
     
     
       7. The nipper assembly of  claim 6  further comprising a stop arranged on one of the first and second elongate members to control a maximum angle of relative rotation between the first and second elongate members. 
     
     
       8. The nipper assembly of  claim 6  wherein the first elongate member includes a plurality of magnets and the second elongate member includes a plurality of magnets. 
     
     
       9. The nipper assembly of  claim 6  wherein the sliding surface and the movement surface are contoured. 
     
     
       10. The nipper assembly of  claim 6  wherein the first and second magnets are exposed along the first and second surfaces, respectively. 
     
     
       11. A nipper assembly for cutting fishing line, the nipper assembly comprising:
 a nipper, 
 a base plate, where the nipper and the base plate are releasably, magnetically, coupled, wherein the base plate comprises a clamp for clamping onto a hat, wherein: 
 the nipper comprises:
 a first elongate member having a first cutting edge located at a terminus of a distal end of the first elongate member, a pair of engagement lobes having aligned bores, the pair of engagement lobes located at a proximal end of the first elongate member and spaced apart from each other, a first elongate member space formed in the proximal end between the pair of engagement lobes, the first elongate member comprising a first surface having at least one cavity containing a first magnet; 
 a second elongate member having a second cutting edge located at a terminus of a distal end of the second elongate member and being pivotally connected to the first elongate member, a pair of first tangs having aligned bores where the aligned bores of the engagement lobes align with the aligned bores of the first tangs, the pair of first tangs located at a proximal end of the second elongate member and are spaced apart from each other, each of the pair of first tangs are located inset from the pair of engagement lobes, a second elongate member space formed in the proximal end between the pair of first tangs, the second elongate member comprising a second surface having at least one cavity aligned with the at least one cavity in the first surface containing a second magnet, wherein the second magnet has a polarity the same as the first magnet; 
 the first and second magnetic members provide a biasing force that separates the first and second cutting edges; and 
 a pin extending through the aligned bore such that the first elongate member and the second elongate member pivot about the pin, wherein the first elongate member space aligns with the second elongate member space to define a receiving space and the pin closes a distal end of the receiving space. 
 
 
     
     
       12. The nipper assembly of  claim 11  further comprising a stop arranged on one of the first and second elongate members to control a maximum angle of relative rotation between the first and second elongate members. 
     
     
       13. The nipper assembly of  claim 11  wherein the first magnet includes a plurality of magnets and the second magnet includes a plurality of magnets. 
     
     
       14. The nipper assembly of  claim 11  wherein the engagement lobe comprises a movement surface, the tang comprises a sliding surface, the movement surface sliding along the sliding surface as the first and second elongate members pivot relative to each other. 
     
     
       15. The nipper assembly of  claim 11  wherein the first and second magnets are arranged facing each other. 
     
     
       16. The nipper assembly of  claim 11  wherein the first and second magnets have the same polarity and are oriented to provide magnetic forces that repel each other.